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Get ready to say goodbye to one of the two remaining naturally-aspirated engine in BMW’s lineup: the next generation M3 will be ditching the 4.0-liter V-8 in exchange for a new 3.0-liter six-cylinder that is reported to have 450 hp, topping the current E90/E92’s 414 hp.

According to Autocar, the next M3 –set to be unveiled sometime in 2013 – will leave the V-8 behind for a more efficient turbo-six that will be unique to the M division. It will differ from the current 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six cylinder N54, and the twin-scroll turbocharged N55 engines that BMW uses in the 335is and 335i, respectively.M’s engine will allegedlyreceive a new ECU, cylinder head, induction system, connecting rods, and pistons. We have previously reported that the new engine will make around 450 hp, topping the current M3’s V-8 by 36 hp. Autocaris also reporting that the new M3 will also produce almost 100 more lb-ft,which means it could ring in around 400 lb-ft.

Unlike the current E90/E92 M3, the next gen will come wearing only the F32 codename – for those who don’t speak BMW, it means the M3 will come only in coupe and convertible flavors; there may not be a sedan this time around.

It had previously been rumored that the M3 would share a tri-turbo six-cylinder with an X3 M model. That engine has been reported to be a 3.2-liter inline-six capable of producing much more than the 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque presently offered by the N55 twin-turbo inline-six.An interesting possibility, but it’s more likely that the F32 M3 will share the new twin-turbo six architecture with the M version of the next-generation Z4 roadster, though no word on whether it could also see use in the X3 M or not.

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